The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1887-06-09
Charles Summers Kindness.

''DO | remember Andrew j. Rob-
erts" quoth an old State politician.
Yes. He had checkered career,
poor man. But with all his short
gomlngs he was a bright, indeed
brilliant man.
lie was great politician years ago,
ald not only took extraordinary inter-
st IN the great questions of the day,
ut knew intimately all the prominent
nblic men. He was well read, intel
lgent, and good talker, but he had
failing. He could not be depended
upon, and at times was helpless.
HE used to hang around the State
|3epublican headquarters from morn
ng until night throughout the cam
QaIgn, and campaigns lasted in those
&ays nearly five months.
1T was during the anti-slavery days
when everybody was at the highest
pitch of excitement. / remember one
day in particular, when a number of
prominent politicians were assembled
II headquarters, among them Charles
iumner and Henry Wilson.
sumner was in the rear room, Will
son in front. Ia walked Roberts. He
talked in 2 loud voice and disturbed
tie whole assembly.
stepping into the rear room, he
SPED Sumner in earnest conversation
with friend. Giving him tremen-
dsus slap on the shoulder, he
siouted:
. D you, Sumner; how are you?
Why don't you be as hearty and as
gnial as your friend Wilson,
''The effect of this rough handling
OF Sumner can readily be imagined
by those who remember or have read
OF the dignifed and scholarly man.
ltwas not only a.shock, but an insult.
Simmer turned as white as a sheet,
bit said nothing. He realized Rob
ers' condition and wisely held his
pelce. Roberts was severely repri-
msnded and turned out of the room.
1t was not long after this that Rob-
ers came to want and grief. He was
actually destitute. He looked hungry
and was poorly clad. In despair he
came to me one day for work or adj
wee. The big tears rolled down his
cheek as he told me how destitute and
degraded he was, and how he longed
to reform. | told him | had no work,
anC advised him to 90 to Sumner.
"'Go to Sumner?' he said. oh, no.
| ilsulted Sumner, a short time ago.
can't 60
".Yes You can, l said. Go to him
Just as you have come to me. Tell him
frankly the whole story, and he will
help you
..Roberts did as 1 advised. About
10 o'clock the next morning he but
toned his shabby coat around his neck
to hide his flannel shirt, and made his
way to the man he had so grossly in
suited but a short time before.
sumner, it is well known, was a
late riser, and seldom breakfasted be-
fore II o'clock. He received the I'M
fortunate man kindly, and, inviting
him to breakfast, listened patiently to
his story. Roberts told me afterward
that it was the first square meal that
he had eaten in long time
'.In less than two days Roberts was
given position in the navy yard, and
henceforth was different man. When
he told me later his experience with
Sumner that morning, his eyes filled
with tears and his voice trembled with
emotion. 1t was a magnanimous act
on the part of Sumner, and an out
ward expression of his true char
acter.
ut was the turning point in Rob-
erts' career. Only few months ago
he delivered one of the best temper
ance speeches l ever heard in my life.
Up to the day of his death, which oc-
CURED cutie recently, he had a great
veneration for the memory of Sum
ner, the man who was so kind and
generous to him in trouble. "-BOStOn
Rocnnd